Bryn Aarflot - IP firm of the year 2010

The World IP Survey has named Bryn Aarflot "Norway IP Firm of the year 2010". The award is based on feedback from more than 2 000 clients and IP professionals world wide.

"This is the most prestigious award for companies working with intellectual property. We see it as a great recognition of our continuous professional work. It shows our clients appreciate our knowledge and service," CEO Kristine Aarflot, said. Read more.

Design protection in Norway - accession to the Geneva Act

Norway is part of the European Economic Area but not part of the EU. Hence, EU designs do not offer protection in the Norwegian territory. Up until now the only possibility for protection of designs in Norway has been through national filings.
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New Trademark Act brings important changes

Norway's new Trademark Act is expected entered into force on 1 July 2010. The new Act mainly represents a modernization of the old Act and codification of existing case law, but a few practically important aspects of the new Act should be noted.
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Fighting counterfeiting in Norway - The role of Customs

There are many reasons why counterfeiting should be taken seriously. Fake goods pose a threat to public health and safety. Further, counterfeit products cost brand owners millions each year in lost outcome. Read more.

In whose interests?

Standfirst: Applications for trademarks that are devoid of distinctive character are normally rejected, while those that are approved are often open to challenge. But this approach is the product of a misguided wish to protect consumers and many such marks should be allowed to thrive or fail on their own merits, says Steinar Lie. Read more.

The Bolar exemption included in The Norwegian Patents Act

As from 18 December 2009 The Patents Act, Section 3, third subsection number 5, states that the exclusive right obtained by a patent does not include: "Trials, experiments and similar of a patented medicine that are required to obtain a marketing authorisation for a medicine in a state that is a contracting party to the agreement of 15 April 1994 on the establishment of the World Trade Organisation". Read more

Litigation: Securing evidence outside a lawsuit

As a non-EU member state, Norway is not bound by the provisions of Directive 2004/48/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of April 29 2004 on the enforcement of IP rights. Read more

SPC - Supplementary Protection Certificate

A Supplementary Protection Certificate (SPC) can be granted in Norway for pharmaceuticals for humans and animals and plant protection products. This may extend the total period for actual patent protection up to a maximum of 25 years; i.e. an additional 5 years of patent protection beyond the normal 20 years. Read more

Decision from the Norwegian Supreme Court concerning equivalence for a pharmaceutical patent

The recent decision HR-2009-1735-A from the Supreme Court concerns the interpretation of Section 39 of the Patents Act and in particular the doctrine of equivalence in relation to an analogy method patent. Read more

Strict requirements for re-establishment of rights

Request for re-establishment of rights in Norway may be requested by the applicant when the applicant has failed to comply with a time limit set by the Patents Act and for which the applicant has suffered loss of rights. Section 72 of the Patents Act dealing with re-establishment of rights is inspired by Article 122 EPC. Read more

A powerful tool for invalidation of patent rights in Norway

The EPC entered into force for Norway on 1 January 2008. Hence, Norway is included among the designated states in European patent applications filed on or after that date. The legal framework has continuously been revised to harmonise with the EPC, thus only minor revisions to the legal framework were necessary upon entry. However, one addition to the Patent Acts that was effective by the date of accession is worth a discussion; namely third parties right to request an administrative review before the Norwegian Industrial Property Office - NIPO. Read more

Bryn Aarflot AS at INTA 2009

Click here for photos of the event